The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dictate far reaching changes to the normalcy of our everyday existence. As we continue to navigate through this unchartered time, we’ve been forced to alter activities, leaving us morose and stagnant. I desperately needed to counteract the negative environment within our household so I decided to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Yes, it may have been premature or downright crazy, but at the same time, very necessary. Decorating early was the answer for my family, a way to bring vibrancy back to the dulled atmosphere and collective mood.
We Need A Little Christmas
Do you remember the song, “We Need a Little Christmas“? This song captures the essence of the moment. I took action, hauled out the decorations, the tree and then spent the weekend creating an atmosphere of excitement, anticipation and yes, I brought back a lot of love from the past to the present.
Feelings of Connection
Opening each box of decorations, brought warmth and connection. The memories quickly came to the surface and initially surrounded me and then my girls and husband. The love and warmth emanating from the memories tied to the ornaments and nativity sets was infectious. How many family members and friends were present as the decorating continued? The presence of the memories from past Christmas’ enveloped the room and our home.
Each ornament and decoration connected us to a different place and time. So much love and so many memories filled with giving flooded our home. I was transported back in time.
Heart Touching Memories
I started to go back in time. My husband and I had so much fun picking out the best Santa ornaments we could find for my father-in-law. We would shop around while on vacations or just stop by some local stores to find the perfect ornament for the Christmas season. Seeing his reaction as he opened the box gave us joy. I can recall him examining one Santa ornament with the painted feet on the bottom. It was different, the shape was new; was it going to past muster? Yes, it fit his idea of the perfect Santa. We accomplished our mission for the year, he liked the Santa. This placed us on a cloud.
That particular Santa remained one of his favorites and today remains one of our favorites. Now all of his Santa ornaments adorn our tree. From the newer ornaments we gave him to his childhood ornaments with the faded paint.
All the ornaments hold moments in time. I unpacked the Hallmark ornaments my parents gave me as I was growing up, the little girl made of a corn husk, the bells my father loved, old fashioned girls dressed in traditional garb I bought while out with my parents after I moved into my condo, the Lenox teddy bear, the Betsy Clark, Minnesota state ornaments sent to me from my Minnesota friends, the patchwork and crocheted ornaments I made over the years. All so dear and one more precious than the other.
Another box, filled with the treasured homemade ornaments from my friend, Jane. Each ornament unique and beautiful in it’s own right. Funny, in my mind I can see my younger daughter pulling the 4 wooden puzzle piece ornaments from the tree. She loves piecing the puzzle together so it shows each of our names. As many times as I place the pieces back on the tree, I know the puzzle will be out on the floor once again in no time. Love was poured into each ornament, nativity set and wall hanging as they were made and just as much love is in the treasuring and adoring of these special ornaments and decorations each year as we place them on the tree and around the house.
When I was first married, my husband would help put up the tree and decorate it with ornaments. He too would reminisce and smile as we shared our memories of when and where we picked up ornaments from our travels. I could hear him saying, Do you remember this one from Nova Scotia, this Santa from Maine, the boat from Martha’s Vineyard or what about this Snoopy on the sled I surprised you with that one Christmas? Such dear memories.
I love the Peruvian nativity scene in the gourd Rick picked up for me when we were in NYC for the holidays, the stable and wooden nativity set under the tree that plays music and the dancing Santa he surprised me with because we had so much fun with it at one of the stores.
Many of the nativity ornaments were given to me by my mother-in-law. She knew I was fond of nativity sets. I love each unique scene, special in it’s own way. Such thoughtful and loving gifts that shall always be cherished. Oh, so many beautiful memories to spread warmth and good cheer.
Our Spirits Lifted
Rick and the girls have been looking at the tree, admiring the ornaments and reminiscing. Moving up the day to decorate our home was the right decision. The atmosphere and the mood within our home lifted. The feelings of hope, new life and love pushed out the feelings of loneliness and despair. The unanswered questions about when the pandemic will end and at what cost are still there but they are at bay.
Decorating Brings Happiness
Our family is not the only family that knows decorating early can help get rid of the doldrums. Psychologists agree that decorating for the holidays may be a good idea. Decorating early for some, can be a good thing because it, brings forth memories of happier times, provides a distraction from the stresses of 2020, gives a sense of control and a feeling of something good is on the horizon. I have to say it sums it up for us.
Psychologist, Dr. Sarah Adler, advised, “Putting up things that are colorful, things that smell good, things that kind of evoke nostalgia and good memory cause happiness in our brain kind of gives us a dopamine hit, which is really the feel good neurotransmitter.” I may not have known the scientific reasons behind the good feeling I and in turn my family received from decorating, but I certainly felt the result.
If Holidays Conjure Unpleasant Memories, Start New Traditions
Maybe the holidays don’t give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. The holidays may bring loneliness or unpleasant memories to the surface. This article may actually incite you. Well, if that is the case, I hope you can read the suggestion of psychologist and happiness expert, Elizabeth Lombardo. She indicates that starting a new tradition is the way to turn things around and make this and future holidays, the kind of days you’ll look forward to.
Elizabeth Lombardo indicates, “Whether it’s going away, seeing a movie as a family, volunteering. It creates a new association. The next time the holidays roll around, you’ll subconsciously connect that time of the year with your newer, happier memories.”
I wish that all of you find the mix that works for you. If decorating and reminiscing helps you smile, then by all means, start decorating. If the stresses of life, including decorating, overwhelm you, then just treat yourself to some quiet time. Find what makes you happy and move in that direction. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!
Additional Reading:
Psychologists Explain The Benefits Of Decorating Early For The Holidays
Already decorating for the holidays? Psychologists explain how it can relieve stress amid pandemic
Putting Up Christmas Decorations Early Makes You A Happier Person, Experts Reveal
You may love holiday lights, but there’s a good reason why some people don’t, experts say
